The NASCAR championship weekend schedule is set, with champions in the Truck, Xfinity, and Cup series to be crowned at Phoenix Raceway from Friday through Sunday as the 2025 season draws to a close in Avondale, Arizona. Each race will determine the series champion, with four eligible drivers contending for the title on the track’s one-mile oval.
Title Deciders Feature Top Competitors Across Three Series
This year’s NASCAR championship weekend brings together competitive fields in each series. On Friday, the Craftsman Truck Series finale will feature Corey Heim, who has secured 11 wins this season, competing alongside Tyler Ankrum, Ty Majeski, and Kaden Honeycutt for the title. The 150-lap Truck race begins at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Saturday’s Xfinity Series championship will see Connor Zilisch, leading the field with 10 victories, line up against Justin Allgaier, Jesse Love, and Carson Kvapil. Fans can expect an intense 200-lap race, also starting at 7:30 p.m. ET.
The Cup Series championship will be decided on Sunday, as Denny Hamlin—who has earned six wins this year—joins Chase Briscoe, William Byron, and Kyle Larson on the starting grid. The 312-lap event gets underway shortly after 3 p.m. ET and will be aired live on NBC and Peacock, with the ‘Countdown to Green’ pre-race show starting at 2 p.m. ET.
Detailed NASCAR Championship Weekend Schedule
The activities in Avondale cover four days, blending practice, qualifying, and high-stakes races:
Thursday, Oct. 30
- Garage opens for Craftsman Truck Series: 5:30 – 9:30 p.m.
- Truck practice: 7:35 – 8:25 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 31
- Garage opens for ARCA Menards West Series: 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
- Garage operations for Craftsman Truck Series: 10 – 1:30 a.m.
- Xfinity Series: 1:30 – 7:30 p.m.
- Cup Series: 1:30 – 9 p.m.
- ARCA practice: 2 – 2:45 p.m.
- ARCA qualifying: 3 – 3:20 p.m.
- Truck qualifying (FS2): 3:35 – 4:25 p.m.
- Xfinity practice (CW App): 4:35 – 5:25 p.m.
- Cup practice (truTV, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio): 5:35 – 8:25 p.m.
- Truck race (150 laps; FS1, Motor Racing Network, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio): 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 1
- Garage opens for Xfinity Series: 10:30 – 2 a.m.
- ARCA Menards West Series: 11 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Cup Series: 11 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
- ARCA race (100 laps): 1:30 p.m.
- Xfinity qualifying (CW App): 3:30 – 4:25 p.m.
- Cup qualifying (truTV, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio): 5 – 6 p.m.
- Xfinity race (200 laps; CW, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio): 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 2
- Garage opens for Cup Series: 10:30 – 12:30 a.m.
- Cup race (312 laps; NBC, Peacock, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio): 3 p.m.
Weather Forecast for the Championship Weekend
Forecasts predict stable and dry conditions for fans and teams throughout NASCAR championship weekend. On Friday, temperatures are expected to peak at 89°F, with the Truck race starting in 86°F weather and no rain anticipated. Saturday will see mostly sunny skies and a high of 88°F. The ARCA race will begin at 75°F, while the Xfinity Series starts in 86°F temperatures, both with no risk of rain. Sunday, the Cup Series championship race is set under clear skies with a high near 90°F and race-time temperatures at 85°F, again with no rain expected.
What the Weekend Means for Drivers and Fans
NASCAR championship weekend at Phoenix Raceway is the culmination of months of competition and effort. Drivers such as Corey Heim, Connor Zilisch, and Denny Hamlin will be seeking to solidify their seasons with championship victories in Avondale. With strong line-ups and favorable weather, the event promises a clear showcase of skill and endurance. Fans can expect high energy and fierce battles as drivers like Kyle Larson, William Byron, Justin Allgaier, Jesse Love, Ty Majeski, Carson Kvapil, Kaden Honeycutt, Chase Briscoe, Tyler Ankrum, and others aim for season-defining moments. With television and radio coverage by networks including NBC, Peacock, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, FS2, CW, and truTV, viewers across the country will have full access to the action as the 2025 NASCAR champions are decided.
